Перемены в жизни католиков Азиатской части России в 1920-е гг. глазами их пастырей: корреспонденция Ю. Вилкаса, Т. Пашкевичюса, Ю. Сенвайтиса

Abstract

The article analyzes the letters and reports of priests J. Vilkas, T. Pashkevichius, J. Senvaitis, written in the 1920s and stored in the archives of Vilnius and St. Petersburg. This correspondence reflects significant changes in the economic, social and religious life of Russia at that time: the deepest economic crisis, famine, epidemics; searches, arrests, excessive taxes in relation to priests and parishes; religious persecutions, a sharp decrease in the number of religious clergy, the reduction of liturgical services and their simplification, an increase in the development of church fraternities of the laity. The frank language used in the letters testifies to the long-term and many-sided pressure on the clergy by the new regime. Selected letters are translated by the author and are attached to the article.